ARRON DARGE understands why his parents will choose Dublin over Kelty today.
But the Cove Rangers defender is just glad Scotland star brother Rory’s Six Nations tie with Ireland starts at 4.45pm.
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Darge, 20, can watch the rugby on TV after his League One match at Kelty Hearts.
And he admits it’s a relief following recent kick-off clashes.
Darge said: “I should at least be able to see some of the Scotland game against Ireland and that’s good.
“I’ve had issues with the kick-off times recently, so this one’s a bit better.
“When I do get the chance to watch Rory, I always take it.
“We speak a lot about the different sports, and I find it interesting to learn how they prepare.
“I also played rugby, but when Hearts offered me a professional contract I had to make a choice.
“My younger brother Harris plays rugby too, so we follow both sports closely in the family.
“I expect my parents Kevin and Nicola to be in Dublin for the Scotland game.
“Our dad always favoured football, but he’s proper into his rugby now.”
Darge joined Cove on a two-year deal last summer, after catching boss Paul Hartley’s eye as Hearts B team skipper.
He admits it’s been a huge change moving up north, but reckons it has made him a better player.
Darge added: “It was a big thing to move away from my family, but I’ve had a really good time up here since I signed.
“The boys at Cove are brilliant, and they have made it really easy for me.
“It’s different for me with all the cooking and everything, but you do get used to it quickly.
“I’m also home quite a lot when we have games near Edinburgh or Glasgow.
“I’ll be down this weekend, so it’s been fine moving out of the family home and fending for myself.
“Football-wise, it’s been great to get experience at a good level and I have enjoyed it.
“I came to Cove with the aim of getting as many games as possible, and I’m happy with how it’s all going.
“I also loved my time at Hearts. Early on, when I was in the academy, I was able to learn from players like Christophe Berra, Craig Halkett and John Souttar.
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“They were brilliant to watch and train with, and even just speak to.
“Steven Naismith was also great to work under with the B team, and it’s good to see him do so well with the first team.”
Darge had a loan spell at Kelty Hearts last season, and is looking forward to returning today.
Fifth-place Cove badly need to get their play-off chase back on track, after back-to-back losses to Falkirk and Montrose.
But the defender insists they will go there with confidence.
He said: “I enjoyed my time at Kelty. It’s a good club and they gave me my first taste of proper football.
“We have eight games to go, and this is a really big one for us.
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“Losing to Montrose last week was a sore one, but anything can happen in the next two months.
“We have to focus on ourselves, stay upbeat and try to win as many games as possible now.”
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